If there's one beer style with which U.S. craft brewers have asserted their independence, it's American-style India Pale Ale.

Big, bold and bitter, American breweries keep finding new ways to up the amplitude and cull more flavor from this versatile style. Beer drinkers can't seem to get enough, as American-style IPAs are the top-selling craft beer category both stateside and globally as more U.S. beer is exported around the world.

You can try some of the best examples from the country's top brewers during the second annual Jul-IPA Festival, 1-5 p.m. July 19, outside the Millennium Harvest House in Boulder. Presented in partnership by The West End Tavern, the festival will feature a wide variety of IPAs from more than 30 local and national breweries. Proceeds benefit Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence.

Colorado-made IPAs will, of course, be well represented at the festival and easily will hold their own among the country's best. Look for examples from Avery Brewing Co., Breckenridge Brewery, Great Divide Brewing Co., Left Hand Brewing Co., New Belgium Brewing Co., Odell Brewing Co., Oskar Blues Brewery, Ska Brewing Co. and Upslope Brewing Co.

There also will be IPAs from newer local breweries to try, including from J Wells Brewery, Sanitas Brewing Co., Wild Woods Brewery, FATE Brewing Co. and BRU Handbuilt Ales.

Several local breweries also are bringing their IPAs to the market in either cans or bottles for the first time.

"We've had customers who are outdoor enthusiasts request it in cans so they can take it hiking, biking, camping, rafting and skiing," owner and brewer Steve Kaczeus said in a release.

Insane Rush, an aggressive yet balanced beer with a hop profile dominated by citrus and pine, also will continue to be distributed in 22-ounce bottles.

Boulder Beer Co.'s Mojo IPA has been around for more than a decade but recently made its debut in cans with a fresh new look. All the better to capture the beer's juicy, citrus-forward hop flavor.

Several breweries that aren't scheduled to pour at the Jul-IPA festival also have new IPAs of note.

Crystal Springs Brewing Co., for example, recently released its flagship IPA, 13, in 16-ounce cans. Originally brewed as an anniversary beer, the beer bursts with fresh grapefruit, ripe mango and citrus flavors with earthy undertones. It was such a hit in the brewery's Louisville taproom that it since has been promoted to a year-round beer and the brewery's latest canned release.

Twisted Pine Brewing recently unveiled a new look in its packaging and a few new beers, including Hop Zealot IPA, which replaces Hoppy Boy as the brewery's mainstay IPA.

Available in bottled four packs and in the Ale House, Hop Zealot leans heavily toward a more aggressive West Coast-style IPA, with dominate notes of pine, citrus and passion fruit and a big malt build to support its big hop character.

"Balance is still as important as ever for brewers of IPA, it's just that the scales have been recalibrated more toward the bitterness side of the flavor spectrum," said Justin Tilotta, Twisted Pine's sales and marketing coordinator.

Don't worry — Twisted Pine still will brew Hoppy Boy year-round. It's just been reclassified as a pale ale.

Try Hop Zealot and other new beers at Twisted Pine's 19th anniversary party, 2-7 p.m. July 19 at the brewery. Tickets, $5, are available at twistedpinebrewing.com/anniversary.

Colorado Brewers Rendezvous

It's a great time of year to head to Salida, especially from 1 to 5 p.m. July 12 for the 18th annual Colorado Brewers Rendezvous. Organized by the Colorado Brewers Guild, the festival features beers from more than 60 craft breweries from around the state, as well as food and live music on the banks of the Arkansas River in Salida's Riverside Park. General admission tickets, $40, include a souvenir glass and unlimited tastings. Visit coloradobeer.org for more information.

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